Lady Bruins start slow, still pummel GC

Published 11:28 pm Friday, February 9, 2007

Chances are slim that Margaret Stockburger’s Lady Bruins are held to two points in an opening quarter — almost as rare as a half-court buzzer-beater.

Northwest Whitfield did both in Friday night’s home finale, using steady play in the second half to torch Gordon Central, 63-45, in Tunnel Hill.

The Lady Bruins (15-9, 9-5) began the night locked into the No. 4 position in the Region 7-4A standings. Stockburger knows Northwest will play on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Dalton High School, but the Lady Bruins’ opponent has yet to be determined.

“We’ll find that out at the (seedings) meeting on Sunday,” the coach said.

Northwest was limited to two points — a basket by Caitie Trew — in the first eight minutes of play. Gordon Central (8-16, 3-11) carried a 5-2 lead into the second period.

“We did not open the game playing very well,” Stockburger said. “But we picked up our intensity.”

Freshman Jordi Cook sank a 3-pointer on the Lady Bruins’ first shot of the new quarter. Callie Thomas gave Northwest its first lead at the 6:15 mark and Trew pulled the Lady Bruins to within two points at halftime.

“It was senior night for our girls and that was an emotional thing,” said Stockburger. “We laughed about that at halftime and said, ‘Hey, let’s not think about that right now, not be so tight and go out and play the way we can.’”

The Lady Bruins did that and more.

Center Samantha Avery, one of three Lady Bruins seniors honored at halftime, tied the game on a short jumper 22 seconds into the second half. Fellow classmate Amy Pendergrass gave Northwest the lead for good on a bucket a minute later.

And freshman Baleigh Coley found the mark from halfcourt at the third period horn, banking it off the window to give Northwest a 43-39 advantage as the crowd erupted.

“That gave us more momentum to finish with,” Stockburger said.

The Lady Bruins outscored Gordon Central 42-22 in the second half. Avery posted another double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, many of the boards leading to putback points. Pendergrass had nine points, Trew added eight and senior Briana Chumley scored six.

Post Jessica Lumpkin led the Lady Warriors with 14 points.

Northwest should get an anticipated rematch with rival Dalton with a win in the opening round of the 7-4A tournament on Tuesday. Dalton coach Jeff McKinney expects “another great matchup with the Lady Bruins on Thursday,” he told WYYU’s Patrick Gregory on Friday night.